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Wednesday October 4 | 2023
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ROYAL WELCOME: The Princess Royal inspects the Combined Cadet Forces at Benenden, her former school, last Thursday as part of its centenary celebrations. See page 12
By Grace Corcoran TAXI drivers in Tunbridge Wells could soon be forced to take card payments as Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) considers making card readers compulsory. In a bid to improve public safety, the option to pay with a card will mean those without cash won’t be left stranded. A report published by TWBC on September 13, 2023 said it had received “a growing number of
complaints from members of the public who were unable to get a taxi late at night”, as drivers couldn’t accept card payments.
Review Earlier this year, TWBC had written to cab drivers servicing Tunbridge Wells station asking them to take card payments following complaints from many would-be passengers. The policy review would mean taxis servicing Tunbridge Wells station
would have to have a card reader and the ability to take payment. The Council is set to update its regulatory policy for Hackney Carriages and private hire taxis, and a public consolation involving both residents and drivers is due to take place. This development comes as welcome news to many of the town’s commuters. On March 8, 2023, the Times reported on the problem of Continued on page 2
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INSIDE: Town hosts national medical conference – page 3